Nutcracker



June 5, 1945. C E POTTER 2,377,369

NUT CRACKER -Filed Feb. 3, 1944 m 2 e15 Porn-3 Patented June 5, 1945 NU'rCRACKR` j Charles E. Potter, Sapulpafikla- Application February, 3, 1944; Serial,',No'.-52ll.ll38 2 claims. (Cilio-1115") i This invention relates to nut crackers, and it consists in the constructions, arrangements-and combinations herein described and'claimed.

It is a cardinal object of the invention to provide a nut cracker of novel construction in which a four point contact engagement is obtained between the anvil and a compression plunger, thus insuring equal lateral pressures in four directions, enabling breaking of the nut shell in a manner to release the nut in quarters.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a novel construction of anvil in which walls are provided for housing a nut securely against dislodgment and to prevent fragments of nut shells from flying about, as well as guidlng the compression plunger upon a nut to be cracked.

More particularly, it is an object of the invention to provide an anvil of substantial strength and weight having side walls adapted to receive a compression plunger therewithin, the anvil and plunger each having an obl'ong concave face for engagement upon a nut, shaped in a manner to form a four point contact upon a nut, in opposed relation, the plunger being adapted to receive a compression blow upon the upper end thereof.

Additional objects, advantages and features of invention will be apparent from the following description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure 1 is a side elevation of the nut cracker.

Figure 2 is an end view thereof.

Figure 3 ls a cross section on the line 3-3 of Fig. l.

Figura 4 is a Vertical section through the nut cracker.

Figure 5 is a plan view of the anvil with the compression plunger removed.

There is illustrated an anvil ID substantially rectangular in shape formed from cast iron or4 end walls IZ and side walls |3 are formed, as integral parts of the base. Preferably the corner junctions of the end and side walls are of angular formation, as indicated at 14, in Figure 3. There is thus for-med a rectangular well |5 of octagonal shape. In actual practice, the walls I2 and |3 are 1% inches in height, which affords an ample enlosure for cracking of the larger nuts, such as black walnuts, although smaller nuts may readily and efiiciently be cracked upon the anvil, as Will be apparent as the description proceeds. For the purpose of giving the anvil an ornamental appearance, as well as enabling ready placing of small nuts on the anvil, the side and end walls are cut away at their upper edges, as at IG.

Centrally of the well 15 the base ll is formed with a rectangular or oblong cavity |1, medially of which there is formed a conical depression l8.

The cavity includes four face portions |9 defined by radial grooves 20 extending downwardly from respective Corners of the upper edges of the cavity 11 to the upper peripheral edge of the depression I3, as clearly shown in Figure 5.

A compression plunger 2| is employed in conjunction with the anvil IO and consists of a head 22 having a rectangular or oblong shape but of dimensions so as to be freely received in the Well IE, as indicated in Figures 3 and 4. The face 23 of the head is planiform and in the central portion thereof a cavity 24 is formed including a medial depression 25, the cavity being defined by grooves similar to those deflning the cavity |1. With the plunger in position in the well IB of the anvil, the cavities I 1 and 24 will be in opposed relation as shown in Figure 4. The plungerV 2| is formed with an axial bore 26 within which there is fixed an upstanding blow-receiving stud 21, formed of Wood or other suitable material. If desired, the stud 21 may be formed as an integral part of the head 22, and since the plunger must receive the impacts necessary to crack the shells of the nuts, the plunger will be molded from cast iron.

In use, with the compression plunger removed, a nut is readily placed upon the cavity 1 by reason of the cut-away portions 16, allowing full entry of the fingers grasping the nut into the well I'. The nut is placed on end so 'that the pointed or blossom end of the nut may rest in the dep-ression 18 or 25 if placed stem end down. The plunger 2| is now placed in the well, as in Figure l. It will be noted that by the provision of the contact faces 19 and 24, a four point contact is obtained upon the nut. The plunger may be steadied within the hand and the stud 21 is now struck with a hammer or other suitable means cracking the shell, the compressive force being directed equally outwardly in the direction of the grooves 2D of the anvil and head. This distribution of force enables cracking of nuts Without liability of crushing the kernel of the nut.

While I have shown and described the invention specifically, this is by Way of illustration only, and I consider as my own all such modiflcations in construction as fairly fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A nut cracker comprising an anvil having side and end walls, an obiong cavity being formed in the base of the anvil medialiy thereof, a compression plunger having a head freeiy reciprocabie within the walls of the anvil, the head having anA oblong cavity cooperable with the first named cavity when arranged in opposed relation and adapted to receive a nut therebetween, each of the cavities having diverging inclined aces and radialiy disposed grooves, said plunger having a stud extended above said walls adapted to receive a compressive blow, and said side and end walls having cut away portions extending from the upper edges of the walls to a point above the base of the anvil.

2. A nut cracker comprising an anvil having side and end walls forming a well, the juncture of said walls having an angular formation, an oblong cavity being formed centraliy of the base of the anvil, a conical depression being formed medially of the cavity, the cavity having downwardly inciined faces defined by respective grooves extending downwardiy from respective corners of the upper edges of the cavity to the upper peripheral edge of the conical depression, a compression plunger having a planiform head having an exterior contour corresponding to that of the well, the underside of the head having an obiong cavity forrned therein, a conicai depression being formed medially of the cavity, the cavity having upwardly inclined faces defined by respective grooves extending upwardly from respective corners of the lower edges of the cavity to the peripheral edge of the conical depression, said cavities being in operative position when in opposed relation and having a nut therebetween,

said side and end walls having cut-away portions, and said plunger having a stud extended above said walls adapted to receive a compressive blow.

CHARLES E. POTTER. 

